Consumption Curable: Observations on the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases

by Henry Congreve

In addition to the Balsam, and what will be preferable to jellies, is a beverage made of an infusion of marshmallow root, which may be freely taken throughout the day for common drink, (made warm when drank;) but no means, however excellent as auxiliaries, will supersede the necessity for the regular use of the Balsam, which imparts to the lungs a healing quality, after it has deterged them from the mucus which clogs their cells and air-pipes.

It was the opinion of the learned Hippocrates, the Father of Physic, that in lingering diseases, a slender and insufficient diet was a dangerous course to pursue; and that a more generous treatment was uniformly necessary in such cases. The strength of the patient should never be reduced, but on the contrary, whatever will yield nourishment to the debilitated system (always avoiding overloading the stomach) may be taken, with a course of the medicinal remedial means herein referred to. Those patients, particularly, who inherit an hereditary predisposition to this complaint, in whom there is a great tendency to debility, should observe an invigorating mode of living; always giving a decided preference to those articles of diet, which they have uniformly found best to agree with their stomach; [10] and that the organs of digestion may not be impaired by the performance of double duty, due attention should always be paid to the proper mastication of the requisite supplies of food, that its dissolvent principle—the saliva, may be incorporated with it, during that important act.

That diet, which most imparts vital power to the blood, and through it to the entire system, must always be preferred in pulmonary cases. By invigorating, we do not mean stimulating food—the object being to strengthen and build up; not to stimulate, and occasion an ultimate reaction, with debility—but permanently to create power. A vegetable diet yields nourishing properties to some, but, in a majority of instances, it is inadequate for the purposes of producing the required nutrition: on the contrary, animal diet partaken with a due regard to the circumstances of the case, always adapting the quantity and quality to the power of digestion, and peculiarities of constitution, so as to prevent fever and disorder, increases the power of the digestive functions, enriches the vital fluid—the blood, and gives tone and vigour to the system.

Frequent changes of air and scene will be found extremely beneficial, both in a physical and mental point of view. The sea air is, of all others, the purest—and on that account, better calculated generally, for the purposes of breathing, in weakly persons. In all air there is more or less of that principle which is essential to life; but the air which passes over an extensive tract of water is not only refrigerated or cooled, but purified; and consequently, the bad effects of the sultry heats of the summer season are counteracted. A temporary sojournment at the sea-side, for the purpose of inhaling the saline particles, with which the sea breezes are impregnated, with occasional excursions on the ocean, or short voyages by sea, will be attended with much advantage, as a means for stimulating the lungs to deeper and more frequent inspiration, and tending to enlarge the cavity of the chest, a matter of great importance. These means will be found highly serviceable, and an excellent auxiliary to the use of the Balsam herein recommended, as possessing a true tonic power, which will brace and invigorate the surface of the body, and exert a beneficial influence on the viscera, especially those connected with the digestive functions. It must, however, be observed, that there are some consumptive patients, with whom sea air never agrees—when country air, especially in the rural agricultural districts, must be substituted.

Exercise is generally beneficial when the degree is proportionate to the strength of the patient, without producing fatigue, and in a pure atmosphere, remote from large cities or towns, in situations not exposed to winds, especially the north-east. The exercise should be in the open air on horseback, the greater part of the day, in fine weather—if the strength will permit; and a nourishing diet of new milk, farinaceous preparations, animal soups, and solid animal food twice a day. The bowels to be gently relieved every second or third day, and the cough mixture—the Balsam, to be continued as before directed.

The Author’s apology for the mention of his remedy in this publication, is, that as it has for the last ten years proved pre-eminently successful, though confined within a limited compass, it becomes his duty to the public more extensively to declare it. The novelty of the doctrine, that Consumption is curable, may gain him many opponents, who would, without this public announcement, have slumbered; but he is determined at all events to persevere, well knowing that his discovery will endure the test of experience and trial, and in the issue must, like other now-approved, but once-rejected articles of the Pharmacopœia, be universally adopted. [11]

In justice to the liberally minded among the profession, it must be observed that, although most practitioners deny the possibility of Consumption being curable, there are a few of their number possessing eminent talent, who have deeply studied the subject, and strenuously contend for the affirmative of the question, corroborated by the evidence of their own experience. While an opposite opinion on the subject is maintained by professional men, equally distinguished for their knowledge of the science, and their utility in their professional pursuits—there can be no doubt but that an enlightened public will decide in favour of the doctrine herein advanced, that Pulmonary Consumption is curable.

The following Cases, illustrative of the beneficial properties of the Balsamic Elixir, in Cough, Hooping Cough, Asthma, and Pulmonary Complaints, which had previously baffled the skill of the most eminent medical practitioners, are selected from various others.

Consumptive Cough, Shortness of Breath, &c.

Sir,—I feel induced to send you the two following cases (for the encouragement of yourself, and the benefit of the public at large) of the beneficial effects of your invaluable medicine, the Balsamic Elixir. A few weeks ago, (a neighbour, who lives opposite me,) a young man of the name of James Howe, was afflicted with a most distressing Cough, Shortness of Breath, &c. He had had medicine from a Chemist in the neighbourhood, and also been under an eminent Physician in the city, but to no purpose. Indeed, the Cough was so incessant, that it seemed to threaten a lingering Consumption—when I persuaded his mother to try your Balsamic Elixir, (which they purchased at Mr. Willoughby’s, Bishopsgate-street,) and, although not more surprising than true, after taking only one bottle, was perfectly recovered.